Stringed instrument having improved tuning and chording means



April 22, 1969 J- w. RYAN 3,

STRINGED INSTRUMENT HAVING IMPROVED TUNING AND CHORDING MEANS Filed Jan. 5, 1967 Sheet of 4 l/IZ ///'l /A/ VE/V 7-02 J54! M RYAN April 22, 1969 J. w. RYAN 3,439,571

STRINGED INSTRUMENT HAVING IMPROVED TUNING AND CHORDING MEANS Filed Jan. 5, 19s? Sheet 2 of 4 [v we roe JOHN W. RYAN April 22, 1969 3,439571 STRINGED INSTRUMENT HAV LNG IMPROVED TUNING AND CHORDING MEANS J. W. RYAN Sheet Filed Jan. 5, 1967 INVENTOR. JZwv W RYAN 04%; 5/444 Arrow/5Y5 April 22, 1969 4, RYAN 3,439,571

STRINGED INSTRUMENT HAVING IMPROVED TUNING AND CHORDING MEANS I NVEN TOR.

MM! 5 M 4 4 ITOZN YS United States Patent 3 439,571 STRLNGED INSTRUMENT HAVING IMPROVED TUNING AND CHORDING MEANS John W. Ryan, Bel Air, Califl, assignor to Mattel, Inc., a corporation of California Filed Jan. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 606,621 Int. Cl. Gd 3/14 U.S. Cl. 84-312 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A guitar resonance chamber has upstanding levers pivoted therein and to the upper ends of which the guitar strings are attached. A whiffletree arrangement, forwardly of the upstanding levers, applies equal tuning forces to the lower ends of the levers and a manually actuable screw, accessible at the rear of the instrument, is arranged to actuate the whiffletree arrangement.

This invention relates to musical instruments of the stringed type such as for example, guitars. The invention is described herein in exemplary form as applied to a guitar.

Stringed musical instruments ordinarily are provided with a set of strings each of which is tuned to a certain frequency and tone quality. Tuning is ordinarily accomplished by having means for individually adjusting the tension of each string. Ordinarily, quite frequent tuning is necessary to maintain the strings at the necessary tension to produce required tone values. Accordingly, tuning is more or less tedious and time consuming. It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide improved means for holding and tensioning the strings of the instrument, so constructed that all of the strings are equally tensioned and so that the tension of all of them can be varied simultaneously and equally for tuning. In a preferred form of the invention the string tensioning means takes the form of an assembly of pivoted whiflietree members, each having one end connected to hold a string and arranged for having tensioning force applied to the opposite end. In this manner, balanced tensions are exerted on the strings compensating for variations in the physical characteristics of the strings themselves to the end that improved and simultaneous tuning can be realized. In effect the instrument is self-tuning.

A further object resides in the provision of particular means for realizing the balanced tensioning of the strings comprising yokes (or single-trees) pivotally mounted at their mid-points and each having one end connected to a string; secondaryyokes with each end of each secondary yoke connected to an end of a yoke which has a string connected to its opposite end, the mid-points of the secondary yokes being linked to the ends of a doubletree yoke pivotally mounted at its mid-point, so that the tension in each string is balanced against the tension in other strings.

As a further novel aspect of theinvention, it provides improved and simplified means for automatic chording by the operation of keys or buttons. Chording devices to be used in connection with stringed instruments have been known in the past and have embodied a number of different constructions varying in detail. In all of these known prior art devices an arrangement was provided whereby the chording device operated in cooperation with the frets of the instrument to depress one or more strings downwardly on to a fret, thus simulating manual chord ing by depressing strings with the fingers. The herein invention embodies a new and novel construction wherein the chording is accomplished by upward movement of members into contact with the strings. In other words,

in effect individual frets cooperating with individual strings are moved upwardly to accomplish the chording. This construction has a number of very significant utilities and advantages. It has particular advantage and utility in combination with the improvements described above for maintaining the strings similarly tensioned. This lies in that the improved chording means does not interfere with the tuning of the instrument and the maintenance of the tuning. Furthermore, the nature of the improved construction is such that it can be built as a simplified, compact assembly adapted to be built into the neck of the instrument in a position beneath the panel of finger operated keys. In other words, the mechanism of the chording device can be housed within this part of the instrument, thus avoiding cumbersome and unwieldly mechanisms built on to or attached to the outside of this part of the instrument and having operating elements which come down onto the strings.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved chording mechanism for stringed instruments having the characteristics set forth in the foregoing, and more particularly that the device embodies members which move upwardly into engagement with one or more strings for chording.

A further object is to provide an improved chording device as set forth in the foregoing having a construction adapting it to be built into and housed within the neck part of the instrument, and beneath a key panel carrying the chording keys.

Another object is to provide an improved chording device as set forth in the foregoing embodying a plurality of elongated pivoted members operable by keys, each member having a part positioned to move upwardly into engagement with a string and the members having a construction such that a plurality of the said members may be simultaneously operated by manipulation of a single chording key.

Another object is to provide an instrument having combined therein the improved string tensioning means as described and the improved chording means.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a guitar embodying the improved string tensioning means;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a detail of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a partial plan view of a stringed instru ment embodying the improved chording means of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 showing one chording key depressed;

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of the improved chording device of FIGURES 8 to 16;

FIGURE 18 is a detail view of the linkage of the double-tree to a secondary yoke.

Referring now more in detail to FIGURES 1 to 7 of the invention, numeral 10 designates generally a stringed instrument in the form of a guitar having a carrying strap 11. The body of the instrument 13 may be of conventional construction having a configuration as shown, the top surface of the sounding chamber having an opening 15 underneath the strings as shown. The instrument has an extending neck 17 of conventional construction at the end of which is a head board 19. In the head are formed openings to receive the usual posts or pins such as shown at 21 around which the ends of the strings are wrapped, the posts being adjustable about their axes for tensioning the strings. The strings of the instrument are designated at 23, 24, 25, and 26.

The strings are individually held at their opposite ends in a manner whereby uniform tension is maintained in them as will be described. The holding means for the strings extend outwardly from the interior of the body of the instrument through openings as designated at 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIGURE 2, the ends of the holding means being adjacent to a reinforcing member 35 on the top surface of the instrument.

The holding and tensioning means for the strings are such as to maintain uniform tension in all of the strings. This construction is shown in detail particularly in FIG- URES 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Numeral 38 designates the end wall of the body 13 of the instrument. Attached to this end wall is a reinforcing or stiffening member 39 having a configuration as shown in FIGURE 2 and being attached by bolts such as shown at 41 in FIGURE 4. This member supports a group of pivoted yokes which may also be described as whiflletree or single-tree members. Extending inwardly from the reinforcing member 39 are a group of supporting posts or brackets as designated at 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 in FIGURE 2. Numerals 53 and 54 designate the two intermediate yokes or single-tree members. These members are similar in construction. Referring to the member 54, it has an enlarged central part as designated at 56, this part having an elongated opening 57 providing side parts on opposite sides of the opening. The single-tree 54 has its opening 57 fitted over the extending support post or bracket 48. The side parts fit between the posts or brackets 47 and 48 and the posts or brackets 48 and 49. The yoke 53 is of similar construction being similarly mounted on the post or bracket 46 between the posts 45 and 47. The yokes 53 and 54 are mounted to rotate about a central pivot axis, being pivoted on a pivot shaft 60 extending transversely through the posts 45 to 49 and through the intermediate part of the yokes 53 and 54.

The yoke 54 has an enlarged upper end part 62. having a slot 63 as shown in FIGURE 2 and a rear slot 64 adapted for having the string 24 secured thereto. At the lower end of the yoke 54 it is rounded having oppositely spaced conical portions providing a small diameter for attachment to a connecting link as will be described, this end construction being designated at 66 in FIGURE 5.

Two additional yokes or single-tree members are designated at 70 and 71. They are similar in construction to the yokes 53 and 54. They are pivotally mounted in spaced relationship to the yokes 53 and 54, but at inclined angles as may be seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. The yoke 70 is mounted by way of posts or brackets 73, 74, and 75 extending inwardly from the reinforcing member 39, the yoke 70 being pivotally mounted by way of a transverse pivot shaft 78.

Yoke 71 is mounted by way of mounting posts or 4 brackets 80, 81 and 82 and is pivoted on a transverse pivot shaft 83.

As will be understood, from the foregoing, one of the strings 23, 24, 25, and 26 is secured to one of the projecting ends of each of the yokes 53, 54, 70 and 71. These yokes may be simultaneously adjusted about their pivots to tension the strings as will be described and this means is constructed so that uniform tension is maintained in the strings.

Numeral designates a double-tree having a configuration as shown. The double-tree '90 is pivotally mounted on the end of adjustable guide stem or bracket 91 as shown in FIGURE 3. This stem is guided by guide plates 92 and 93 extending from the reinforcing member 39. Numeral 95 designates a threaded stem received in a threaded bore 96 in the member 91, this stem extending through the reinforcing member 39 to the exterior of the instrument and having a knurled adjusting knob 99 on the end thereof. The purpose of this adjusting knob will be described more in detail presently.

The double-tree 90 has a configuration as shown in FIG- URE 2. It has an intermediate enlarged part having therein elongated opeings 101 and 102 so as to in effect, form laminations 103, 104, and 105. The end part of the support bracket 91 as shown in FIGURE 3 has slots formed therein as shown in 107, 108, and 109 and laminations 103, 104, and of the double-tree 91 are fitted into the slots and the double-tree is pivoted to the member 91 by a pivot shaft 112.

The left end of double-tree 90' has a slot as shown at 114 and the right end of the double-tree 90 has a slot as shown at 115. The double-tree 90 is connected by links to additional secondary yokes or single-tree members as desig nated at 117 and 118 in FIGURE 4. These members have a configuration similar to the yokes 53, 54, 70 and 71. The mid-point of yoke 117 is pivotally connected to a link 120, the other end of which is pivotally connected to one end of the double-tree 90. The mid-point of yoke 119 is pivotally connected to a link 121, the other end of which is pivotally connected to one end of the double-tree 90. The link 120 is slotted at each end having two slots at each end. Accordingly, one end interleaves into the mid-point of yoke 117 and is attached thereto by a pivot shaft 119. The other end of link 121 interleaves with the end part of double-tree 90 as shown in FIGURE 2 and is pivotally attached thereto by the pivot shaft 123. Link 121 has a similar construction being similarly pivotally attached to the yoke 118 and its other end being interleaved with the end part of double-tree 90 and being pivotally attached thereto by a pivot shaft as shown at 124 in FIGURE 2. FIGURE 18 shows the slots 110 and 111 at the end of link 121 which interleave with the bifurcations at the end of double-tree 90', formed by slot 115.

At one end of the yoke 117 it has a formation 126 like that designated at 66 at the end of yoke 54, the yoke 117 having similar formation 127 at its opposite end. The yoke 118 has similar formations or configurations as designated at 129 and 130 at its ends.

The lower end of yoke 53 is linked to an inner end of yoke 117. The lower end of yoke 54 is linked to an inner end of yoke 118. The lower end of yoke 70 is linked to an outer end of yoke 117. The lower end of yoke 71 is linked to the outer end of yoke 118. The links just referred to are designated in FIGURE 4 in the same order at 133, 134, 135, and 136. These links are similar in construction. Referring to the link 135, it is a linking member with a loop at one end looped over the end fitting at the lower end of yoke 70. At its opposite end it has a loop lying in a plane displaced 90 degrees and this loop is fitted over the configuration or fitting 126 at the end of the yoke 117.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe that each string is attached to one end of a pivoted yoke or single-tree. The opposite ends of two of these yokes are, in turn, linked to the opposite ends of a further secondary yoke, and the opposite ends of two of the yokes are linked to the ends of another secondary yoke. The mid-points of the secondary yokes are, in turn, connected by links to the ends of a double-tree pivoted at its midpoint. The double-tree is manually adjusted to act through the yokes to adjust the tension in all of the strings. It will be observed from the arrangement of yokes that when the double-tree is adjusted, the tension forces exerted on the strings are balanced, so that there is uniform tensioning which is maintained during usage to the end that effective tuning of all strings can be realized simply by adjusting the manual knob 99.

Referring to FIGURE 7 of the drawings, this figure shows an adjustable bridge for the strings. The bridge comprises a vertically adjustable member 145 which may be made of plastic or the like and the upper edge of which is tapered as shown. The member 145- is mounted in a transverse frame 146 having formed in it a guideway 147, allowing vertical movement of the bridge member 145. The bridge member 145 may be actuated by a transverse stem member 150 having deformations in it, as shown at 151, engageable with the bottom of the member 145. The stem 150 is journalled near its end portions and at one end has a bent part 152, as shown in FIGURE 6, with an operating handle 153 on it. By swinging the handle 153, the stem or shaft 150 is moved in a manner to lower and raise the bridge member 145 into contact with the strings.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe that the improvements of the invention as so far described achieve and realize the objects and advantages thereof, as set forth in the foregoing, particularly in that the strings of the instrument can be maintained uniformly tensioned. Tuning is greatly improved and facilitated and, in fact, the instrument can be described as self-tuning. It should be understood that strings may, of course, be individually tensioned in the usual manner by the hold ing posts or pins, such as indicated at 21 in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. After such initial tuning, the tuning is maintained and there can be renewed simultaneous tuning in the manner described by adjusting the manual knob 99.

FIGURES 8 to 17 show an improved chording device. This improved chording device has adaptability for use with any stringed instrument which is chorded. This chording device may be adapted in an instrument having the automatic tuning mechanism of FIGURES 1 to 7, or may be embodied in an instrument not having such automatic tuning mechanism. The chording device has particular adaptability and utility when adapted and combined in an instrument having the automatic tuning mechanism for reasons as set forth in the foregoing, and as will become more apparent from the following detailed description.

In FIGURES 8 to 17, numeral 160 designates a neck part of a stringed instrument having strings 161, 162, 163, and 1 64. The end part or stem of the instrument neck 160 may be formed as a plastic housing having the chording mechanism built into it, the chording mechanism embodying members that move upwardly to come into engagement with the strings, as will be described. The top surface of the housing 160 has rectangular openings therein in which are received the chording keys, the center one being designated at 161. Preferably, the chording keys are constructed in form of plastic blocks having the chords designated on them as shown in FIGURE 8. At the sides of the openings which receive the keys, there are formed vertical guide spacers, such as shown at 162 and 163 for the key 160 so as to guide the vertical movement of the keys. The keys are provided with bottom end flanges, as shown, to prevent them from coming out of the openings.

The keys are normally biased into their upward positions,

as will be described.

As indicated in FIGURE 8, there are chording positions as designated at 1, 2, and 3. FIGURE 8 includes a chart 166 of various chords as designated thereon which are produced by depressing individual chording keys. The chart 166 designates the relative chording positions for each string with respect to each chord.

Within the housing there is provided a group of elongated chording levers. These levers are generally similar in shape except as will be described hereinafter. The levers are in groups, each group being pivoted on one of the three transverse pivot shafts, as designated at 170, 171, and 172 in FIGURE 9, the ends of these shafts being journalled in bosses on the inside of the side walls of the housing 160. The strings in this form of the invention are preferably simply attached to a transverse shaft 173. Numeral designates one of the chording levers illustrating the general shape of the levers. See FIGURES l0 and 17. The lever 180 is one of those pivoted on the shaft 172. It has an upwardly extending projection 181 at its left end on which there is a plastic fitting or cap 182 which comes into engagement with the string 164 from underneath. The lever 180 has an upwardly extending projection 183 adjacent its left end which is pivoted on the pivot shaft 172. The lever 180 has a downwardly extending projection 186 near its left end to which is attached a biasing spring 187 and the other end of which is attached to a shaft 18-8 so that the lever 180 is normally biased in a counter-clockwise direction. On the upper surface of the lever 180 are upwardly extending projections 190, 191, 192, and 193 which are of varying length depending upon their distance from the pivot shaft 172 to thereby adapt them to simultaneously engage the bottom surfaces of key members, as illustrated in FIGURE 10. As may be seen, the lever 180 may be actuated by any one of four chording keys.

Numeral 200 designates a similar lever mounted on shaft 171 and similarly biased by a spring 201 attached to shaft 202. Lever 200 has an upwardly extending projection 204 having an end piece 205. Numeral 207 designates a further lever pivoted on the shaft 170. It is biased in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring 208 connected to it, the other end of the spring being connected to shaft 209. Lever 207 has an upwardly extending projection 211, having a plastic cap 212 on it. It will be observed that levers 200 and 207 have only a single upstanding projection so that each of these levers is operable by only one of the chording keys. The remaining levers are designated by the numerals 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, and 221. The levers 215 and 21 8 are on the shaft 172. The levers 216 and 219 are mounted on the shaft 171. The levers 217 and 221 are mounted on the shaft 170. From an inspection of FIGURE 9, it will be observed that whereas lever 180 has four upwardly extending projections; lever 200 has one; lever 207 has one; lever 215 has five; lever 216 has one; lever 217 has one; lever 218 has two; lever 219 has five; lever 20' has three; and lever 221 has two. The upwardly extending projections correspond to the positions of the chording keys and the columns of the chart 166 in FIGURE 8. Each lever can be actuated by any key having a position corresponding to a projection on that lever. It will be observed from FIGURES 8 and 9 that each chording key is in a position to engage simultaneously one or more of the upstanding transversely aligned projections, the keys being aligned with the columns of the chart 166 and the transverse groups of projections as shown in the figures. Thus it may be readily observed from the chart and figures what chord will be produced by depressing each key.

FIGURE 11 shows the normal position of the ends of levers 200, 216, 219, and 220 having end caps 205, 205a, 205b, and 2050. These levers can chord the strings at chording position 2.

FIGURE 12 is a cross sectional view showing key 161 in the undepressed position over the projections on levers 200, 215, and 219 which are aligned transversely as may be seen in FIGURE 9, and with the key 161.

FIGURE 13 shows the key 161 depressed and illustrating the actuation of the three levers by this key to 7 produce a chard as indicated in the chart 166. FIGURE 16 is a cross sectional view like FIGURE 12 showing key 161 depressed and showing the actuation of the three levers 200, 215, and 219 by this key.

FIGURE 14 shows the pivot shaft 171 and the levers 200, 216, 219, and 220 mounted on it.

FIGURE 15 is a figure similar to FIGURE 11, but showing the position of levers 200 and 219 when the key 161 is depressed, this key also depressing the lever 215 which is pivoted on the shaft 172, this lever effecting chording at chording position 1, as may be observed in FIGURE 13.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will understand the construction and operation or utilization of the chording mechanism. The chording is effected by members moving upwardly into engagement with the strings in three chording positions. Any desired chords can be realized in accordance with the chart by depressing individual chording keys. The key depresses groups of levers as described, and end parts of which move upwardly into engagement with groups of strings, the levers being pivoted on transverse pivot shafts. The levers are biased by springs which cause the levers to normally urge the chording keys upwardly into normal positions.

Those skilled in the art will observe that the invention as described herein achieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages as set forth in the foregoing, as well as having many additional advantages that are apparent from the detailed description. The string tensioning and tuning means of FIGURES 1 to 7 makes possible simplified tuning and maintenance of tuning. The chording device of FIGURES 8 to 17 is unique and novel, particularly in that the chording is effected by moving members upwardly into engagement with the strings. The nature of the device is such that it is adapted to be built as a compact unit and housed within the neck of the instrument. The improved chording mechanism is highly adapted to use with the improved string holding and tensioning means and provides the new result that the chording means in no way interferes with the tensioning of the strings and the tuning of the instrument.

What is claimed is:

1. In a musical instrument having a resonance chamher, a neck attached thereto and a plurality of strings each having one end secured to said neck: frame means in said chamber; a plurality of first levers pivotally mounted, intermediate their ends, on said frame means; the

other end of each string being secured to one end of said first levers; and manually operable tuning means comprising at least one secondary lever having its opposite ends connected respectively to the other ends of two of said first levers; said tuning means further comprising manually actuable means extending to the exterior of said chamber and arranged to apply a tuning force to the central portion of said secondary lever for applying equal forces to the other ends of all said first levers to vary the tensions of all said strings simultaneously.

2. An instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said manually actuable means comprises a rotary threaded member journalled in a wall of said chamber; said tuning means further comprising a threaded member engaging the threads of said rotary member and operatively connected to said central portion of said secondary lever.

3. An instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is defined in part by an upper wall along which said strings extends; a plurality of adjacent openings through said upper wall, said one end of said first levers extending upwardly through said openings with said strings secured thereto above said upper wall.

4. An instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is defined in part by an upper wall along which said strings extends; a bridge movably mounted on said upper wall adjacent said openings and manually operable means for selectively moving said bridge upwardly into contact with said strings or downwardly therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,449 10/1952 Machalek 84--3 12 3,124,991 3/1964- Costen 84-3 13 2,453,572 11/ 1948 Ferrier 84-297 2,662,439 12/1953 Snodgrass 84-312 3,174,381 3/1965 Matthew et a1 84-313 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,512 6/ 1801 Great Britain. 304,862 4/ 1918 Germany.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

LAWRENCE R. FRANKLIN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

